I think the rap influence is fine, but we need to see more acts doing it well. We all know that really good music rarely makes mainstream, and if it does MTV usually kills it by overplaying them and giving atleast one person in the band a huge ego to boot.

If you don't beleive me, then check out Incubus, the rap influence is there (DJ, singer ocasionally raps... sorta), but for the most part everyone seems more interested in writing a good song than fitting in. Everyone in the band is really good (technically), but also very versital. I have three of their albums and all three are destinctive, and intersting to listen to. Best of all, they are alot better on stage than on tape.